Integral field cup and front end shield for an electric brake motor

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a system and method for integrating an electric motor with an electromagnetic brake. An integral field cup and front end shield is employed to function as both a brake field cup and a motor end shield. The integral field cup and front end shield houses a bearing assembly for the motor and an electromagnetic coil for the brake. Moreover, the integral field cup and front end shield operatively encloses the opposite drive end of the motor. In addition, an internal fan is positioned at the opposite drive end of the motor outside the brake and is operable to cool both the brake and the motor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to electric motors and inparticular to a system and method for facilitating the integration of anelectric motor with an electromagnetic brake.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electromagnetic disk brakes are widely used in a variety of applicationssuch as dynamic brakes for motor input shafts and/or output shafts andas static or “holding” brakes for motors and the like. A typicalelectromagnetic disk brake of this type includes a friction disk that iscoupled with the shaft so as to be movable axially relative to the shaftbut to be rotationally fixed relative to the shaft. In static brakingapplications, the brake is applied by compressing the friction diskbetween a stationary reaction plate and an axially movable armatureplate to provide the desired holding action, and the brake is releasedby energizing the electromagnet to retract the armature plate to allowthe friction disk to rotate freely. In dynamic braking applications, thebrake is applied while the shaft is rotating, either by energizing anelectromagnetic actuator to overcome the force of a compression springor by de-energizing a normally energized actuator to permit thecompression spring to apply the brake.

Electromagnetic disk brakes designed specifically for use with electricmotors exhibit several disadvantages. Specifically, brakes of this typerequire a mounting plate for attaching the brake to the motor's endshield. This mounting plate necessarily increases the size and weight ofthe brake, limiting the brake's usefulness in some applications.Attachment of the brake to the motor end shield often requiresmodification of the existing end shield structure to accept the mountingplate, which tends to be labor intensive. Furthermore, when adding abrake to motors employing an internal fan for cooling, the brake isoften mounted to the fan housing. Thus, the fan is positioned betweenthe brake and the motor, preventing cooling to the brake. The heatproduced by the brake during normal operation has a deleterious effecton the stopping and starting capacity of the brake. Additionally, theheat on the brake has a deleterious effect on the life of the brake andthe motor.

Conventional manual brake release mechanisms typically have significantrotational play when the brake is actuated, leading to rattling andpossibly to false actuation of indicator switches which are intended tobe closed only upon manual brake release. Furthermore, the manualrelease mechanisms typically employed in electromagnetic brakes eitherutilize a two step process for providing an even pull on the armatureplate or a one step process which only provides a pull on one side ofthe armature plate.

Therefore, there is an unmet need in the art to facilitate theintegration of electric motors with electromagnetic brakes fordecreasing cost, size and weight of the brake, while increasingefficiency of the brake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The present invention provides for a system and method that facilitatesintegration of an electric motor with an electromagnetic brake. Theintegral brake motor of the present invention includes a cylindricalframe coupled to a circular end shield and an integral field cup andfront end shield. The circular end shield is located at a drive end ofthe motor while the integral field cup and front end shield is locatedopposite the drive end of the motor. Within the frame is an electricalcore for providing energy to the motor. The electrical core consists ofa stator and a rotor and any additional circuitry and wiring required tooperate the motor. The rotor is coupled to a rotor shaft. The rotorshaft is supported by bearing assemblies located in both the circularend shield and the integral field cup and front end shield. In additionto functioning as an end shield for the motor, the integral field cupand front end shield functions as a field cup for the brake component.The integral field cup and front end shield houses an electromagneticcoil. The electromagnetic coil is operable to electrically engage and/ordisengage the brake. The present invention provides for a system andmethod to accomplish this process.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an internal fan iscoupled to the shaft of the motor and is positioned outside of the brakecomponents. The fan is operable to provide cooling air to the motor aswell as the brake, thereby improving the bearing life and efficiency ofthe motor, as well as the starting and stopping capacity of the brake.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a manual brakerelease mechanism is coupled to the integral field cup and front endshield. The brake release mechanism includes a lever and cam combinationfor manual engagement and disengagement of the brake. The brake releasemechanism employs a one step operation to provide an even pull on thearmature plate, which disengages the brake.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the inventionthen, comprises the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andannexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments ofthe invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a fewof the various ways in which the principles of the invention may beemployed. Other object, advantages and novel features of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of an electric brake motor inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an electric brake in accordancewith one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an electric brake in accordancewith one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an integral field cup and frontend shield in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a manual brake releasemechanism in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a manual brake release mechanism in anunlocked position in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a manual brake release mechanism in alocked position in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a cam of a manual brake releasemechanism in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a cam of a manual brake releasemechanism in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of a methodology of manufacturing anelectric motor with an electromagnetic brake in accordance with oneaspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described with reference to thedrawings. The present invention provides for a system and method thatfacilitates the integration of an electric motor with an electromagneticbrake. The electric motor is provided with an integrated field cup andfront end shield. The present invention will also be described withreference to a methodology for employing the system.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of system 5 that integrates an electricmotor 10 with an electromagnetic brake 15 in accordance with one aspectof the present invention. The electric motor 10 has a generallycylindrical frame 20 surrounding a motor core 30. The motor core 30converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to drive externaldevices coupled to the motor 10. The motor core 30 is comprised of astator 40, a rotor 50, and any other wiring and circuitry (not shown)for driving the motor 10. The rotor 50 is coupled to a shaft 60extending through a central longitudinal axis of the motor 10. Duringoperation of the motor 10, electrical current is provided to the statorwindings, which generates a magnetic field that induces a current in thewindings of the rotor. The induced current in the windings alsogenerates a magnetic field in an opposite direction with respect to themagnetic field generated from the windings of the stator. The oppositelydirected magnetic fields interact and cause the rotor 50 to rotate,thus, rotating the shaft 60. The shaft 60 is supported by a firstbearing assembly 70 located opposite the drive end of the motor 10 and asecond bearing assembly 80 located at the drive end of the motor 10.

During operation of the motor 10, heat is generated from core 30. Theheat generated from the core 30 of the motor 10 heats the air inside themotor 10. The heated air has a deleterious effect on the efficientoperation and life of the bearing assemblies 70 and 80. Therefore, a fan225 is provided to cool the motor 10. The frame 20 is formed from castiron or the like and can be molded as a single integral piece orassembled as multiple pieces. Depending upon the size of the motor 10,the frame 20 may or may not include a plurality of axially extendingfins 90 substantially covering the frame 20. The fan 225 blows airacross an integral field cup and end shield 100. The integral field cupand end shield 100 includes fins 450 (FIG. 4) that direct and channelair flow such that a laminar convective flow of air is blown across themotor frame 20, thus cooling the motor exterior and, ultimately, themotor core 30 and bearing assemblies 70 and 80.

Conventionally, circular end shields, also referred to as end bells orend brackets, are employed at both ends of a motor to support bearingassemblies and to enclose the electrical core. A modular brake is thenadded to the motor by mounting the brake to one of the circular endshields. This typically requires an additional mounting plate and somelabor intensive modification to the end shield to accept the brake. Inthe present invention, however, the integral field cup and front endshield 100 is employed to integrate the motor 10 with a brake, thusremoving the aforementioned disadvantages of the conventional system.The integral field cup and front end shield 100 is adapted to supportthe first bearing assembly 70 and a conventional circular end shield 110supports the second bearing assembly 80. Both shields 100 and 110 areoperable to enclose the stator 40 and rotor 50. Inner caps 120 and 130are coupled to the end shields 100 and 110, respectively, and areemployed to secure the bearings 70 and 80 in place.

Alternatively, snap rings may be employed to secure the bearings 70 and80 in place. In addition to acting as an end shield for the motor 10,the integral field cup and front end shield 100 acts as a field cup forthe brake 15 mounted to the opposite drive end of the motor 10. Thus,another advantage of employing the integral field cup and front endshield 100 is that by combining a component of the motor 10 with acomponent of the brake 15 removes the need for a separate mountingplate, thus, reducing the overall cost, size, and weight of the motorand brake assembly.

The integral field cup and front end shield 100 is further adapted tohouse electromagnetic coils 150. Disposed above the electromagneticcoils 150 is a thin plate 160 operable to support at least onecompression spring 170. An armature plate 180, a friction disk 190, anda stationary plate 200 are all positioned coaxially with the rotor shaft60. The armature plate 180 is rotatably fixed. However, the armatureplate 180 may axially slide within an air gap 210 in response to theforce of the compression spring 170 or the pull of the electromagneticcoil 150. The fan 225 is affixed to the end of the shaft 60 outside thestationary plate 200. A cover 220 is positioned over the brake 15 andmay be secured to the motor frame 20 and/or to the integral field cupand front end shield 100.

FIGS. 2-3 illustrate an example of an electromagnetic brake 230 inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustratesan exploded view of the components of the electromagnetic brake assembly230, while FIG. 3 illustrates the components generally assembledtogether. The electromagnetic brake assembly 230 includes an integralfield cup and front end shield 240 disposed about a central longitudinalaxis of the motor. The integral field cup and front end shield 240functions as both an end shield for the motor and a field cup for thebrake. An electromagnetic coil 250 is supported within the field cupportion of the integral field cup and front end shield 240 and isoperable to electro-magnetize the field cup. The coil 250 comprises awinding of wires. As a voltage is applied to the coil 250, a magneticforce is created throughout the field cup 240. A thin plate 260 isdisposed over the electromagnetic coil 250 to support at least onecompression spring (not shown). The compression spring may be a wavespring and is employed to provide a force to bold an armature plate 270,a friction disk 280, and a stationary plate 290 tightly together. Thearmature plate 270 is coupled to the integral field cup and front endshield 240. The armature plate 270 is rotationally fixed about a rotorshaft 300 but is movable axially through an air gap (see FIG. 1). Thestationary plate 290 is coupled to the armature plate 270 and is alsorotationally fixed about the rotor shaft 300.

Disposed between the armature plate 270 and the stationary plate 290 isthe friction disk 280. The friction disk 280 includes a splined innerperiphery 310 adapted to engage a splined portion of a shaft 320. Theshaft 320 is mechanically connected to either a drive motor or a loadapparatus driven by the motor. The friction disk 280 is thus mounted onthe splined portion of the shaft 320 and rotates with the splined shaft320 in response to the motor or the load. When the brake 230 is engaged,the compression spring forces the armature plate 270 in an axialdirection toward the friction disc 280. The spring has enough force tohold the friction disk 280 tightly between the armature plate 270 andthe stationary plate 290 so as to prevent the friction disk 280 fromrotating. Thus, the splined shaft 320 coupled to the friction disk 280is also prevented from rotating and the motor is stopped. However, if avoltage is applied to the electromagnetic coil 250, the magnetic forceoperates to attract the armature plate 270 toward the field cup 240. Asthe armature plate 270 is pulled back against the field cup 240, itopens up an air gap between the armature plate 270 and the friction disc280 and allows the friction disk 280 and thus the splined shaft 320 torotate, thereby disengaging the brake 230.

Fan cooling assists in increasing the efficiency of a motor, thus,rotatably disposed on the shaft 300 of the motor is an internal fan 340.The fan 340 is employed to provide cooling air to both the brake 230 andthe motor. In conventional systems, a shaft extension is coupled to amotor shaft and an internal fan is mounted onto the shaft extension. Ashroud encases the fan and a modular brake is mounted to the back of thefan housing. Thus, the fan in the conventional system is positionedbetween the motor and the brake. This configuration provides no coolingto the brake. In the present invention, the fan 340 is positionedoutside of the integral motor and brake system. Therefore, the brake 230is also being cooled, improving the stopping and starting capacity ofthe brake 230. Additionally, the external periphery of the integralfield cup and end shield 100 consists of radially extending fins 450which act to direct a laminar convective flow of air from the fan 225across the motor frame 20 thus providing improved motor cooling.

Coupled to both the integral field cup and front end shield 240 and thearmature plate 270 is a manual brake release mechanism 350. The releasemechanism 350 is operable to manually engage and disengage the brake 230through the use of a lever and cam combination. The release mechanism350 is employed during maintenance activities, in the event of a powerfailure, for testing purposes, and/or for any other reason one mightdesire to manually engage and/or disengage the brake 230. Two bolts 360and 370 are provided in the integral field cup and front end shield 240approximately 180-degrees apart from each other. The bolts 360 and 370operate as pivot points for the brake release mechanism 350. The releasemechanism 350 also contacts the armature plate 270 at two points 380 and390 approximately 180-degrees apart. The armature plate 270 and thelever of the release mechanism 350 are coupled together at the twocontact points 380 and 390 with adjustable connectors. As the frictiondisk 280 wears, setscrews 400 and 410 disposed within the releasemechanism 350 are operable to adjust with the wear and account forincreases in the air gap between the friction disk 280 and the armatureplate 270. An aluminum shroud 330 is operable to cover and protect thebrake assembly 230 from the environment. It is to be appreciated that byemploying an integral field cup and front end shield, the number ofparts on the brake assembly and motor are reduced, thus reducing thecost of the motor. Furthermore, by employing an integral field cup andfront end shield, the orientation of the components of the brakeassembly can be inverted, resulting in the reduction in the size of thebrake assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates the integrated field cup and front end shield 240 inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention. The integratedfield cup and front end shield 240 is adapted to be secured to theopposite drive end of the motor. In the present invention, theintegrated field cup and front end shield 240 is shown as one piece thatfunctions as both a field cup and an end shield. The integral field cupand front end shield 240 is formed of an annular flat portion 420 andtwo generally concentric ring-shaped extrusions 430 and 440. The annularflat portion 420 is adapted to mount to the opposite drive end of themotor and the armature plate 270 of the brake assembly 230. The annularflat portion 420 is further adapted to support a motor bearing assemblyand enclose an electrical core within the motor. Substantially coveringthe circumference of the integral field cup and front end shield 240 arefins 450 similar to the fins substantially covering the frame of themotor. The integral field cup and front end shield fins 450 are likewiseused to allow air to flow through channels 460 created by the fins 450,thereby providing cooling to the brake components, the motor core andthe bearing assemblies. The two generally concentric ring-shapedextrusions 430 and 440 are located opposite the side utilized to securethe bearing assemblies. The inside of the first ring-shaped extrusion430 and the outside of the second ring-shaped extrusion 440 form acup-like portion 470 operable to house an electromagnetic coil. Theinside of the second ring-shaped extrusion 440 forms a circular centralopening 480 within the integrated field cup and front end shield 240, sothat the shaft can extend there through. The integral field cup andfront end shield 240 further includes apertures 490 for mounting to theopposite drive end of the motor, apertures 500 for mounting to thealuminum shroud 330, and apertures 510 for mounting the manual releasemechanism 350.

Materials used to manufacture the integral field cup and front endshield 240 may include a ferromagnetic material, so that when a voltageis applied to the electric coil 250, the field cup becomes magnetizedand attracts an armature plate 270. Thus, the armature plate 270 is alsocomprised of a ferromagnetic material. Furthermore, although theintegral field cup and front end shield 240, as described, is generallyone complete part, it is to be appreciated that the integral field cupand front end shield 240 may comprise two or more parts.

FIG. 5 illustrates another aspect of the present invention. A system foran integrated electric motor and brake includes the manual releasemechanism 350 for manually engaging and disengaging the brake. Themanual release mechanism 350 includes a lever portion 520 and a camportion 530. The lever portion 520 includes two generally L-shaped endportions 522 connected by a generally arcuate central portion 524. Thelever portion 520 is adapted to surround the field cup, so that the camportion 530 can rest on a surface of the field cup. Alternatively, thelever portion can be adapted to surround an end shield or an oppositedrive end of a motor and provide the same basic function. The cam andlever combination are operable to pull the armature plate 270 towardsthe field cup, thereby disengaging the brake. A handle 540 is alsoincluded and may be covered with a vinyl material. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the handle 540 is labeled ‘RELEASE’ with an arrow indicating adirection in which to turn the handle.

The lever 520 of the brake release mechanism includes a generallysemicircular notch 550 and 560 at respective end portions 522. Thesemicircular notches 550 and 560 are adapted to fit around the bolts 360and 370, or pivot points, on the integral field cup and front end shield240. When, the handle 540 is turned in the direction as indicated by thearrow, the cam portion 530 operates to tilt the central portion 524 ofthe lever 520, pivoting about the bolts 360 and 370. Because the pivotpoints 360 and 370 are spaced approximately 180-degrees apart, therelease mechanism 350 creates an even pull over the circumference of thearmature plate 270. The lever 520 tilts enough to sufficiently pull thearmature plate 270 against the integral field cup and front end shield240. Thus, the air gap between the armature plate 270 and the frictiondisk 280 is opened and the brake 230 is disengaged. The lever portion520 of the manual release mechanism 350 also includes apertures 570 formounting the manual release mechanism 350 to the armature plate 270.

The cam portion 530 of the manual release mechanism 350 is generallylocated at a midpoint position of the lever 520, which also facilitatesthe even pull over the circumference of the armature plate 270. A shaftportion 580 (see FIG. 8) of the cam extends through a circular opening590 in the central portion 524 of the lever 520, which allows the cam530 to rotate with respect to the lever 520. A torsional spring 600 isprovided on the shaft portion 580 of the cam between the head 610 of thecam and the lever 520. The spring 600 allows the brake release mechanism350 to easily return to its normal position when pressure is applied tothe handle 540 in the opposite direction as indicated by the arrow.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate the lever portion 520 of the manual brake releasemechanism 350 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6illustrates a side view of the lever 520 in its normal, or unlocked,position, while FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the lever 520 whenemployed to manually disengage the brake 230. When the manual brakerelease mechanism 350 is not employed, the lever portion 520 of therelease mechanism 350 is positioned generally parallel with the armatureplate 270. The handle 540 is positioned generally perpendicular to thelever 520. When the handle 540 is rotated, the cam (not shown) acts topivot the lever portion 520 about a fulcrum point 360, 370, tilting thelever 520 at an angle A with respect to its original position. The angleA may be between 1-degree and 10-degrees, preferably about 4-degrees, tocreate a sufficient downward pull 620 at the ends of the lever. The endsof the lever are coupled to the armature plate 270, thereby pulling thearmature plate 270 away from the friction disk 280. It is to beappreciated that the lever 520 may tilt any number of degrees necessaryto pull the armature plate 270 apart from the friction plate 280 anddisengage the brake 230.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate the cam portion 530 of the manual release mechanism350 in accordance with the present invention. The cam 530 includes ashaft portion 580 adapted to couple the cam 530 to the lever 520 and thehandle 540 of the manual release mechanism 350. Two flat surfaces 630are provided at one end of the shaft 580 to engage with a mating portionof the handle 540. Thus, the cam 530 is operable to rotate with thehandle 540.

The design of the cam head 610 coupled with the torsion spring 600allows rotation of the cam 530 in only one direction. When the manualrelease mechanism 350 is in its normal, unemployed state, the cam 530rests on side 640. A distance of X resides between a central portion 650of the release mechanism 350 and the surface of the integral field cupand front end shield 240 on which the head of the cam 610 rests. Thisdistance X creates the generally parallel position shown in FIG. 6. Whenthe manual release mechanism 350 is rotated to disengage the brake 230,the cam 610 rests on side 660. An angle B is incorporated into side 660so that the cam 530 secures in place when rotated. Angle B may includean angle between 1-degrees and 8-degrees, preferably about 3-degrees.However, it is to be appreciated that any angle or no angle may be usedon the side. The intersection between side 640 and side 660 issubstantially rounded to allow for ease of rotation of the cam 530.Sides 640 and 660 are sufficiently long enough to provide a stableresting surface for the cam 530, thereby preventing any rattlingproblems. Furthermore, in this position, the distance Y between thecentral portion of the release mechanism 350 and the integral field cupand front end shield 240 increases, which creates the lever 520 to pivotabout its pivot points 360 and 370 as described above. Moreover, angle Ain FIG. 7 is dependent upon the increase in distance between X and Y.Materials used to manufacture the manual brake release mechanism 350 mayinclude zinc die cast or any other material possessing sufficientstrength and durability to perform the aforementioned functions.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional features describedabove, a methodology in accordance with various aspects of the presentinvention will be better appreciated with reference to FIG. 10. While,for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodology of FIG. 10 isshown and described as executing serially, it is to be understood andappreciated that the present invention is not limited by the illustratedorder, as some aspects could, in accordance with the present invention,occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other aspects fromthat shown and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated featuresmay be required to implement a methodology in accordance with an aspectthe present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates one particular methodology for fabricating anintegrated electric motor and brake in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention. The methodology begins at 700 where a motorelectrical core coupled to a shaft is provided. The electrical coreincludes a stator and a rotor. At 710, the electrical core and shaft areinserted and mounted in a generally cylindrical frame to enclose themotor core and protect it from the environment. At 720, a first bearingassembly is disposed between an end shield and inner cap. At 730, asecond bearing assembly is disposed between an integral field cup andfront end shield and inner cap. The end shield and integral field cupand front end shield are provided to further enclose the motor from theenvironment. The methodology then proceeds to 740 where the end shieldand integral field cup and front end shield are coupled to the motorframe. At 750, an electromagnetic coil is secured within the field cupportion of the integral field cup and front end shield and compressionsprings are provided to hold the brake in an engaged position. Themethodology then proceeds to 760 where an armature plate, a frictiondisk, and a stationary plate are coupled together and further coupled tothe integral field cup and front end shield. At 770, a fan is providedto supply the brake and the motor with cooling air and reduce heatproduced by the brake and the electrical core. At 780, a manual brakerelease mechanism is attached to the field cup. At 790, an enclosure isprovided to encase the brake components for environmental protection.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to acertain preferred embodiment or embodiments, equivalent alterations andmodifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding this specification and the annexed drawings. In particularregard to the various functions performed by the above describedcomponents (systems, assemblies, systems, etc.), the terms used todescribe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwiseindicated, to any component which performs the specified function of thedescribed component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even thoughnot structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performsthe function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment orembodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature ofthe invention may have been described above with respect to only one ofseveral embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageousfor any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent thatthe term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or theclaims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to theterm “comprising”.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric motor and brake system, comprising: a motor portion comprising: an electrical core surrounded by a frame; a motor shaft coupled to the electrical core; and an end shield coupled to the frame located at a drive end of the motor; an integral field cup and front end shield having a first side and a second side, the first side coupled to the frame located at an opposite drive end of the motor; and a brake portion coupled on a first side to the second side of the integral field cup and front end shield and coupled on a second side to an armature plate, at least one electromagnetic coil supported within the second side of the integral field cup and front end shield, at least one compression spring disposed between the armature plate and the at least one electromagnetic coil, the armature plate coupled to a friction disk coupled to the motor shaft wherein the armature plate is operable to actuate axially toward the friction disk and a stationary plate such that a force is applied to the friction disk thereby holding the motor shaft in a rotatably fixed state; and a fan located outside the brake portion, the fan being operable to provide cooling air to the motor and the brake.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a first bearing assembly coupled to an inside surface of the end shield, the first bearing assembly being operable to support the motor shaft at the drive end of the motor.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a second bearing assembly coupled to the first side of the integral field cup and front end shield, the second bearing assembly being operable to support the motor shaft at the opposite drive end of the motor.
 4. The system of claim 3, the first bearing assembly being disposed between a first inner cap and an inside surface of the end shield and the second bearing assembly being disposed between a second inner cap and an inside surface of the first side of the integral field cup and front end shield.
 5. The system of claim 1, the second side of the integral field cup and front end shield comprising two concentric ring shaped extrusions and being adapted to support an electromagnetic coil between the two concentric ring shaped extrusions, the first side integral field cup and front end shield being adapted to support a bearing assembly.
 6. The system of claim 5, the integral field cup and front end shield comprising axially extending fins alongside the outside surface of the integral field cup and front end shield, the axially extending fins being adapted to channel airflow.
 7. The system of claim 1, the at least one compression spring being a wave spring.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an aluminium shroud to enclose the brake portion from the environment.
 9. A method of fabricating an electric motor and brake system, comprising: providing an electrical core coupled to a motor shaft, the electrical core being surrounded by a frame; mounting an end shield to the frame at a drive end of the motor, the end shield housing a first bearing assembly being operable to support the motor shaft at the drive end of the motor; mounting an integral field cup and front end shield having a first side and a second side, the first side housing a second bearing assembly operable to support the motor shaft at the opposite drive end of the motor; coupling a brake portion to the second side of the integral field cup and front end shield; inserting an electromagnetic coil into a field cup portion of the integral field cup and front end shield; providing at least one compression spring disposed over the electromagnetic coil; and providing an armature plate, friction disk, and stationary plate assembly over the at least one compression spring, the armature plate being axially movable such that the compression spring is operable to move the armature plate and friction disk axially against the stationary plate, the friction disk being coupled to the motor shaft such that holding the friction disk against the stationary plate engages the brake portion and holds the motor shaft in a rotatably fixed state.
 10. The method of claim 9, the integral field cup and front end shield being formed from a ferromagnetic material and the armature plate being formed from ferromagnetic material wherein energizing the electromagnetic coil magnetizes the integral field cup and front end shield and the armature plate pulling the armature plate away from the stationary plate allowing the friction disk and motor shaft to rotate freely.
 11. A method of fabricating an electric motor and brake system, comprising: providing an electrical core coupled to a motor shaft, the electrical core being surrounded by a frame; mounting an end shield to the frame at a drive end of the motor, the end shield housing a first bearing assembly being operable to support the motor shaft at the drive end of the motor; mounting an integral field cup and front end shield having a first side and a second side, the first side housing a second bearing assembly operable to support the motor shaft at the opposite drive end of the motor; coupling a brake portion to the second side of the integral field cup and front end shield; inserting at least one electromagnetic coil within the second side of the integral filed cup and front end shield; positioning at least one compression spring proximate to the electromagnetic coil; providing a moveable armature plate, a friction disk coupled to the motor shaft, and a stationary plate proximate to the at least one compression spring, the at least one compression spring axially displacing the movable armature plate and friction disk coupled to the motor against the stationary plate such that the friction disk coupled to the motor shaft is compressed between the movable armature plate and stationary plate to hold the friction disk coupled to the motor shaft in a rotatably stationary state; and coupling a fan to the opposite drive end of the motor shaft outside the brake portion, the fan being operable to provide cooling air to the brake and the motor.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of encasing the brake portion and the fan within an enclosure.
 13. An electric motor and brake system, comprising: a motor portion comprising: an electrical core surrounded by a frame; a motor shaft coupled lo the electrical core; and an end shield coupled to the frame located at a drive end of the motor; an integral field cup and front end shield having a first side and a second side, the first side coupled to the frame located at an opposite drive end of the motor; and a brake portion coupled to the second side of the integral field cup and front end shield comprising: an electromagnetic coil supported within the second side of the integral field cup and front end shield; and a compression spring being disposed between the electromagnetic coil and an armature plate, the armature plate being coupled to a friction disk coupled to the motor shaft wherein the compression spring is operable to move the armature plate and friction disk axially against a stationary plate to hold the motor shaft in a rotatably fixed state.
 14. The system of claim 13, the integral field cup and front end shield being formed from a ferromagnetic material and the armature plate being formed from a ferromagnetic material wherein energizing the electromagnetic coil magnetizes the integral field cup and front end shield and the armature plate pulling the armature plate away from the friction disk allowing the motor shaft to rotate freely.
 15. The system of claim 14, the brake portion including a fan located outside the fixed stationary plate, the fan being operable to provide cooling air to the motor and the brake.
 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an aluminum shroud to enclose the brake portion from the environment.
 17. The system of claim 13, further comprising a first bearing assembly coupled to an inside surface of the end shield, the first bearing assembly being operable to support the motor shaft at the drive end of the motor.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a second bearing assembly coupled to the first side of the integral field cup and front end shield, the second bearing assembly being operable to support the motor shaft at the opposite drive end of the motor.
 19. The system of claim 18, the first bearing assembly being disposed between a first inner cap and an inside surface of the end shield and the second bearing assembly being disposed between a second inner cap and an inside surface of the first side of the integral field cup and front end shield.
 20. The system of claim 13, the integral field cup and front end shield comprising axially extending fins alongside the outside surface of the integral field cup and front end shield, the axially extending fins being adapted to channel airflow. 